Mother’s Day

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Suva

As we celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday, be reminded of God’s 5th Commandment, which simply states “Honour your father and your mother: that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God gives you (Exodus 20:12).

In today’s world where we allocate or remember something nearly every day of the year; I pray that our mothers are not only remembered, honoured or made special on this day and forgotten the next.

The Ten Commandments is God’s moral law, given by the Creator whose very essence is love (agape) and we are commanded to obey it in love and it is a sin, when we break one.

Therefore, we have a divine command to love, honour and cherish our mothers and fathers every day, which kind of reflects on how we actually relate to God Himself.

Jesus while hanging on the cross told John to take care of Mary his mother and from that day, John took her to his own home (John 19:27).

Even on the cross, the Son of God reminds us to love and care and honour our mothers and till death do us part.

A happy and blessed Mother’s Day to all mothers today.
Climate Change

Celine McGowan, Suva

As a concerned youth, I believe there is still an extreme need for action and responsibility towards our environment as far as climate change is concerned.

Climate change has become a global issue and a threat.

The Paris Agreement is a global effort to achieve only a maximum global average temperature rise of 1.5°C to 2°C and any increase beyond 2°C would mean severe storms, floods and droughts for many countries, more acidic seas, dying rainforests and the loss and extinction of species.

Our small island nation is one of many Pacific island countries that is at the forefront of the adverse effects of climate change. Unfortunately, it is those that are most vulnerable that suffer the most.

The topic of climate change has been around for years and many say that it is an exponential threat and most important issue of all, yet much has not been done.

Individual efforts are not enough – we need immediate action by the Government and relevant authorities.

Yes, Fiji has achieved so much through the Paris Agreement and COP23, but that becomes meaningless if action is not taken seriously in our own country.

I believe our Government can do more than just attend summits and conferences. Some ways we can act towards the fight against climate change is through the complete ban of single-use plastics, Styrofoam packs, straws, encourage the use of sustainable transport, protect and restore key ecosystems for example encouraging more marine protected areas, promote green energy (solar, geothermal and small wind projects), support small agricultural producers and create more awareness among local people.

I trust that even as a small country, nothing is impossible and we can influence other countries as well.
Awesome Reece

Ronnie Chang, Nadi

What an awesome display of good hard running rugby early this morning, Saturday, May 11, in South Africa as the Crusaders walloped hosts, the Bulls 45-13.

Our very own local ever-improving gutsy Nadi lad Sevu Reece contributed a hat trick – one in the 1st 40-minutes and two in second half.

Simply awe inspiring and an excellent role model to many aspiring “saravou.” Every good luck and wish as you follow your life’s dreams.

You make Nadi and Fiji proud – And you’re loving parents, the proudest!

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj